MOSCOW/KIEV, Oct. 13 - The criminal case against former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in relation to the $405 million debt to the Russian Defense Ministry for the supply of construction materials in exchange for gas, has been dropped in Russia due to the expiration of statute of limitations, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax.

As part of this case, Russian law enforcement authorities charged Tymoshenko in absentia with bribing Russian defense officials.

The Ukrainian authorities have sought to prosecute Tymoshenko for this count since the fall of 2010, the source said.

"However, Russia said that the case against Tymoshenko was dropped on non-rehabilitation grounds - due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, and there are no grounds to revive the case," the source said.